Finally, a film steeped in the medicine of grass-roots herbalism and the sentient nature of the plants! Numen is a project rooted in the desire to both educate and inspire, to grant us each an intimate look into the world of plants and our innate connection to them. Utilizing gorgeous time-lapse photography, the words and insights of many well known herbalists, ethnobotanists and ecologists, as well as the simple power of watching real humans work and play with the healing herbs.

Numen: The Nature of Plants will be 80 minute documentary film focusing on the healing power of plants and the natural world. Numen, defined as the animating force in nature, brings together innovative thinkers to discuss how our disconnection from nature affects human and environmental health and the healing made possible by embracing our place in the wider web of life. We hope to inspire viewers to think deeply about the source of their medicine and the impact of healthcare systems on their health and the earth.

Numen premiered at this year’s International Herbal Symposium last month, but won’t be released on DVD until later in July. The creators are currently collecting donations to aid in the finish of production and the distribution of the DVD. Amazing herbalist, speaker and author, Rosemary Gladstar, has played an integral part, both as an individual and as the founder of United Plant Savers, in helping this important film to be birthed and gifted to the world. Her words below say much for this project, and all on their own would have inspired me to seek out and purchase Numen.

“Numen is a magnificent depiction of the healing essence of plants. The filmmakers captured the magic, the mystery, the beauty of plants and their importance as herbal medicine in our contemporary health care system. Inspiring and educational, Numen has a place in the library of anyone interested in medicine, plants, gardening and earth ecology. It’s a powerful film that I’ll recommend that everyone see”

This preview was just wonderful. A simple, yet elegant discussion about plants and our relationship to them. I loved hearing from all these people. Many of them have been teachers to me. Dr. Bill was an inspiring presence. I miss him!